What gives michael idea to auction his wife?

Outside, Michael hears an auction of horses, and he wonders why men can't sell their wives at auction.

i think what made michael auction his wife and daughter where the viles of marriage and the level of burden mariage had brought to him because in the first place the need for him to be at that place was in search for a job and what made him look for a job was to seek a good living for both him and his wife thus causing him to ask why they couldnt auction their wives ..to releave him of the burden of marrige and liability.